deergrunt--I've used 168 SMk's over 45.5 gr of Winchester 748, WLR primers, in Federal match brass in my Springfield Armory M-1A NM semi-auto. I believe this was a bit below the maximum potential of the cartridge, but its what my rifle shot the best. Check reloading manuals before using any info, of course.

Deergrunt, in my rifle, I have found Varget and WCC 755 to work very well. WCC 755 is a surplus powder with a burn rate very similar to H380 and Win760. I use Win LR and CCI BR2 primers. Cases were Fed Gold Medal match and Cdn military surplus. In fact, the smallest group I have ever shot was with military brass. Go figure.

My chamber was cut using a Clymer M852 reamer. I believe this was designed specifically for the Sierra 168gr MK during the Vietnam conflict. Had generous neck dimensions but a nice lead and throat. Seems to work (1/4MOA capable).

I have shot Amax 155gr and Nosler 168gr J4 (similar to Match kings). My rifle liked the AMax much better. Shot that combo to 1500yds.

If going after deer size game, the bullets above would work just fine. Don't expect to get lots of penetration for Texas heart shots but broadside presentations will not pose any problems.

How tough are these bullets? Well, I shot through a 1/4" mild steel plate at 385yds using the a 155gr Amax bullet (muzzle vel 2850fps). Enough penetration to break a rib?

I have shot several deer with match bullets and so far have not had one move more than a few yards. Bullet placement is everything, have hit bucks as close as 105 yards and had a decent exit wound.
I suggest that you get some Hodgdon's Varget, load from 44.0 up to 46.0 grains with any of the 168 grain match bullets. Matchkings probably set the standard but some rifles shoot better with Hornady or Speers or Nosler J4's or whatever. Fact is you should also try the 175 Matchking, they are becoming the more popular bullet for getting the most out of a .308. The 155's are also worth trying, you can get them from Sierra, Nosler and in A-Max.
I believe that bullet making technology has improved the accuracy of "hunting" bullets significantly in recent years - there are several plastic-tipped boat-tails available that shoot almost as well as match bullets. They are cheaper to shoot and designed for expanding over a fairly wide impact velocity range - as in hunting...
We like an overall length of 2.830", that is going to fit nicely into most magazine boxes and seems to shoot very well. Better accuracy can probably be obtained a little longer, depending on your chamber.
Federal loads their match ammo with 4064, you might try it as a second choice to Varget.
Good luck, don't sweat finding a load for a .308 Win. that is usually the easy part. Make up a bunch of ammo and shoot it to get the skills and confidence to hunt long.